News

AgriGold agronomist says farmers are facing disease pressure

AgriGold Agronomist Joe Stephan says the corn crop is especially vulnerable to diseases this year because of the late planting season.

“That would include tar spot, southern rust, as well as physoderma brown spot,” he says.

He tells Brownfield diseases are emerging in certain areas of Indiana.

“Tar spot seems to be a bigger issue in the northern counties, especially with the customers running irrigation systems,” he says. “Southern rust is one you may or may not have, but we did find a pocket of southern rust northeast of Indianapolis.”

Stephan says other states are also seeing disease pressure.

“Tar spot is getting a great foothold in Michigan again this year, as well as northern Illinois, and it’s even been seen in Wisconsin,” he says. “For Southern Rust- Illinois seems to have heavier pressure.”

Advice he has for growers is to…

“Continue to scout fields as often as possible,” he says. “We love walking fields with customers and showing them what to look for.”

Stephan, a regional agronomist for northern Indiana and southwest Michigan, spoke at the recent AgriGold Academy in Marion, Indiana. He says the event focused on educating growers on maximizing profitability with digital ag tools, corn nutrient management practices, farm succession planning, and more.

He says AgriGold wants to help growers be successful, especially in a year like this.

Audio: Joe Stephan, AgriGold